What makes these songwriters special to you?
The emotion that is conveyed in the lyric as well as their clever use of simile, catch phrases and great prosody between music and lyric.

2Q: What inspired “’Waiting To Breathe”?
I had a friend from college who was physically and mentally abused. She finally had the courage to leave her caustic relationship. Her situation affected me deeply because I saw the struggle and torment that she experienced in her marriage. At one point she thought she was the one who was crazy! Happy to say she is healing and is now breathing with clarity and peace.

Is it a personal song? Yes indeed

It’s a song that most people can relate to? I think anyone who is in a toxic relationship could relate to this one.

3Q: Do you always write with a co-writer? No

What makes for a good co-write? Optimistic, positive energy among all the writers, making “IT” about what’s best for the song including giving and taking criticism, leaving egos at the door, having ethics like mutual trust and respect. It’s so important to have the ability to give/share ideas as well as receive other writer’s input, and to value the opinion of others even if you do not always agree with your co-writer(s).

What advice would you give to someone who wants to co-write? Become a strong writer independently first so you have something of value to bring to the table in a co-writing situation. Go to writing workshops, read songwriting books, study other songs, their structure and elements as well as the writing styles of those you admire. When you co-write find someone to write with who is on your skill level or above your level if you are up for the challenge. I think it’s important that an agreement between the writers are discussed before anything is written in order to avoid any misunderstanding further on down the road if a song is placed, published, etc.

4Q: Was there something different or unusual about writing “’Waiting To Breathe”? I heard the wonderful musical bed that Germain Brunet composed and it kept playing in my head… hence the melody appeared and I kept humming it to the point of becoming annoying! Then, a few days later after speaking with my friend ( the woman in the song) I struggled with sleeping that night. After FINALLY falling asleep, the lyrics came very quickly by waking me up at three in the morning. The words kept spinning over and over to that little melody in my head so I scribbled the words on the back of kleenex box next to our bed (in the dark) because I did not want to disturb my husband. Exactly what I wrote is exactly the way it is in the song…..that had NEVER happened before and has not happened since!

What are you most proud of in this song? The fact that when some people hear it, they understand the character’s pain and sometimes can relate to it either from a personal standpoint or knowing someone in this situation.

5Q: Past or present, are there Dallas Songwriters you admire? That’s a loaded question! I love listening to other writer’s at open mic events. Collectively speaking, I learn from their original ideas by hearing unique rhyming schemes, song structure and other elements that make a song unique and desirable. I stand in awe of the many writers who really know and understand the crafting of a song. Songwriting is a tough market so I admire and applaud those who have cracked that glass ceiling with their originality and creativity!

Verse 1
Silence in this black empty room
Shadows from the edge of the moon
Feeling smothered everywhere
Chokin’, got me gaspin’ for air
Closed in disabled by pain
Left with his freedom, but me I’m in chains.